Offspinner Mark Craig spearheaded an incisive bowling performance from Otago, as they comprehensively beat Canterbury by 47 runs in the HRV Cup in Christchurch.

Craig got the crucial wickets of the Rob Nicol, Bradley Cachopa and Andrew Ellis, and eventually finished with 3 for 29, as Canterbury struggled to produce a significant partnership. Nicol top-scored with 31, but James McMillan, Neil Wagner and Ryan ten Doeschate picked up two wickets each, to prevent any of the other batsmen from settling, as Canterbury were bundled out for 121 inside 18 overs.

Otago, put in to bat, were earlier propelled by a 29-ball 46 from Derek de Boorder, and his 70-run third-wicket partnership with Aaron Redmond, that helped them overcome an early wobble at the top. Redmond and de Boorder both departed in quick succession, but ten Doeschate added a late surge by racing to 35 off just 26 balls, to help Otago to a competitive 168 for 9 from their 20 overs.